Method and Apparatus for Dying Hair

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for applying coloring chemicals to hair, and a method thereof for applying said coloring chemicals. The apparatus for applying coloring chemicals having an applicator sheet and a sheet retainer; the applicator sheet providing a surface to apply coloring chemicals to a lock of hair and the sheet retainer providing a means for temporarily affixing the applicator sheet to the lock of hair. A first magnetic strip of the applicator sheet can be engaged with a second magnetic strip of the applicator sheet or a third magnetic strip; engagement with the second magnetic strip allowing the applicator sheet to be folded in half and affixed to the lock of hair. A liquid-impervious body of the applicator sheet prevents the coloring chemicals from seeping through the applicator sheet and allows the applicator sheet to be used to rinse the lock of hair.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/202,310 filed on Aug. 7, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hair treatment. More specifically, the present invention provides an eco-friendly apparatus for use in the process of highlighting, dying, or otherwise treating hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many typical hair treatment processes for coloring hair are not eco-friendly as such processes include the use of wasteful products such as foil. The foil that is used for highlighting hair is only used once, as it is difficult to clean or reuse foil. As such, this leads to increased costs for companies, in addition to having a harmful impact on the environment in producing more waste. Furthermore, when using foil in hair highlighting processes, a user must typically hold the foil with one hand in order to keep it in place behind the lock of hair that is being treated. This limits the user to using a single hand to apply the coloring chemicals, or requires the assistance of another individual. The use of foil also does not address the issue of possibly staining the root when applying the coloring chemicals.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for applying coloring chemicals to hair and a method thereof for applying said coloring chemicals. An applicator sheet and a sheet retainer are provided for applying the coloring chemicals to a lock of hair. The applicator sheet provides a liquid-impervious body that prevents the seeping through of the coloring chemicals. To dye hair using the applicator sheet, the lock of hair is placed on the liquid-impervious body and the sheet retainer is magnetically attached to a first magnetic strip of the applicator sheet. As the applicator sheet does not need to be held in place, the coloring chemicals can be easily applied by a single person. Furthermore, the sheet retainer ensures that the root is not stained. Once applied, the sheet retainer is removed and a second magnetic strip of the applicator sheet is magnetically attached to the first magnetic strip, wherein the applicator sheet is folded in half, surrounding the lock of hair. The applicator sheet and the sheet retainer are reusable and can be readily cleaned after each use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting the applicator sheet and the sheet retainer.

FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting the first layer and the second layer of the liquid-impervious body.

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting the lock of hair being placed on the liquid-impervious body, wherein the lock of hair overlaps the first magnetic strip.

FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting the third magnetic strip being engaged with the first magnetic strip in order to clamp the lock of hair.

FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting the coloring chemicals being applied to the first portion of the lock of hair.

FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting the third magnetic strip being disengaged from the first magnetic strip and the coloring chemicals being applied to the second portion of the lock of hair.

FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting the second magnetic strip being engaged with the first magnetic strip, wherein the liquid-impervious body is folded about the mid-line axis, positioning the lock of hair between the first layer of the liquid-impervious body.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting the steps for applying the coloring chemicals to hair using the apparatus for applying coloring chemicals.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is an apparatus for applying coloring chemicals 70 to hair, and a method thereof for applying said coloring chemicals 70. In reference to FIG. 1, the apparatus for applying coloring chemicals 70 comprises an applicator sheet 1 and a sheet retainer 2. The applicator sheet 1 provides a surface on which coloring chemicals 70 are applied to a lock of hair 60. Meanwhile, the sheet retainer 2 clamps the lock of hair 60 in place about the applicator sheet 1, such that the coloring chemicals 70 can be applied without holding the applicator sheet 1.

In reference to FIG. 1, the applicator sheet 1 comprises a first magnetic strip 10, a second magnetic strip 20, and a liquid-impervious body 40. The liquid-impervious body 40 is a thin sheet that is constructed from a flexible material, such that the liquid-impervious body 40 is able to be folded. The liquid-impervious body 40 is non-porous, preventing the coloring chemicals 70 from passing through the liquid-impervious body 40 and onto undesired sections of the hair or scalp. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-impervious body 40 is constructed from a soft, transparent plastic; the transparency allowing the user to view the application of the coloring chemicals 70 when the liquid-impervious body 40 is folded around the lock of hair 60.

The first magnetic strip 10 and the second magnetic strip 20 are integrated into the liquid-impervious body 40, wherein the first magnetic strip 10 and the second magnetic strip 20 are terminally positioned opposite each other, along the applicator body. The first magnetic strip 10 can be engaged with the sheet retainer 2 or the second magnetic strip 20 to clamp the lock of hair 60. When the second magnetic strip 20 is engaged with the first magnetic strip 10, the liquid-impervious body 40 is folded about a mid-line axis 43, such that the lock of hair 60 is sandwiched between the liquid-impervious body 40.

The first magnetic strip 10 and the second magnetic strip 20 are positioned across the liquid-impervious body 40, such that the lock of hair 60 is clamped along the width of the liquid-impervious body 40 when the second magnetic strip 20 is engaged with the first magnetic strip 10, as depicted in FIG. 7. Furthermore, the mid-line axis 43 is parallel to the first magnetic strip 10 and the second magnetic strip 20 as depicted in FIG. 1, wherein the mid-line axis 43 is the crosswise midline of the liquid-impervious body 40. In this way, the liquid-impervious body 40 is folded in half about the mid-line axis 43 when the second magnetic strip 20 is engaged with the first magnetic strip 10.

In reference to FIG. 2, the liquid-impervious body 40 comprises a first layer 41 and a second layer 42, wherein the first layer 41 and the second layer 42 form a first pocket and a second pocket for retaining the first magnetic strip 10 and the second magnetic strip 20 respectively. The first magnetic strip 10 is positioned in between the first layer 41 and the second layer 42 within the first pocket, while the second magnetic strip 20 is positioned in between the first layer 41 and the second layer 42 within the second pocket. The first magnetic strip 10 and the second magnetic strip 20 are sealed within the liquid-impervious body 40, protecting the first magnetic strip 10 and the second magnetic strip 20 from the coloring chemicals 70 and allowing the applicator sheet 1 to be more readily cleaned.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first layer 41 and the second layer 42 are heat sealed together in order to retain the first magnetic strip 10 and the second magnetic strip 20 in place within the liquid-impervious body 40. However, in other embodiments, other suitable sealing methods may be used to connect the first layer 41 and the second layer 42 together. In one other embodiment, an adhesive is applied in between the first layer 41 and the second layer 42 in order to seal together the first layer 41 and the second layer 42. In yet another embodiment, the first layer 41 and the second layer 42 can be stitched together.

In reference to FIG. 1, the sheet retainer 2 comprises a liquid-impervious cover 50 and a third magnetic strip 30. Similar to the liquid-impervious body 40, the liquid-impervious cover 50 is non-porous, preventing the coloring chemicals 70 from passing through the liquid-impervious cover 50. Preferably, the liquid-impervious cover 50 is constructed from the same material as the liquid-impervious body 40. The third magnetic strip 30 is encased by the liquid-impervious cover 50, wherein the liquid impervious cover protects the third magnetic strip 30 from the coloring chemicals 70 and allows the sheet retainer 2 to be more readily cleaned.

The third magnetic strip 30 allows the sheet retainer 2 to engage with the applicator sheet 1. More specifically, the third magnetic strip 30 is engaged with the first magnetic strip 10, temporarily attaching the sheet retainer 2 to the applicator sheet 1 as depicted in FIG. 4-5. When the third magnetic strip 30 is engaged with the first magnetic strip 10, the sheet retainer 2 extends past the liquid-impervious body 40, such that a handle portion of the sheet retainer 2 is provided. The handle portion allows the user to readily grasp the sheet retainer 2 in order to disengage the third magnetic strip 30 from the first magnetic strip 10 and separate the sheet retainer 2 from the applicator sheet 1.

The handle portion is provided such that the length of the sheet retainer 2 is greater than the width of the liquid-impervious body 40. The handle portion can be provided in a number of ways. In one embodiment, the third magnetic strip 30 is longer than the first magnetic strip 10, such that when the third magnetic strip 30 is engaged with the first magnetic strip 10, the excess of the third magnetic strip 30 provides the handle portion for the user to grasp. In another embodiment, an excess of material is provided by the liquid-impervious cover 50, forming the handle portion. In yet another embodiment, a rigid piece of material is positioned adjacent to one end of the third magnetic strip 30 and encased within the liquid-impervious cover 50 in order to form the handle portion.

The method of applying the coloring chemicals 70 to the hair is performed on one lock of hair 60 at a time. In reference to FIG. 8, the lock of hair 60 is first separated and placed on the liquid-impervious body 40 such that the lock of hair 60 overlaps the first magnetic strip 10 as depicted in FIG. 3. The user then engages the third magnetic strip 30 with the first magnetic strip 10 such that the lock of hair 60 is clamped in between the first magnetic strip 10 and the third magnetic strip 30 as depicted in FIG. 4. In this way, the liquid-impervious sheet is attached to the hair, allowing the user to let go of the liquid-impervious sheet and prepare the coloring chemicals 70.

When the third magnetic strip 30 is engaged with the first magnetic strip 10, the lock of hair 60 is separated into a first portion and a second portion; the first portion being the length of hair extending past the first magnetic strip 10 and the third magnetic strip 30, and the second portion being the length of hair positioned in between the first magnetic strip 10 and the third magnetic strip 30. In reference to FIG. 8, the first portion is treated with the coloring chemicals 70, followed by the second portion. The user applies a first quantity of coloring chemicals to the first portion of the lock of hair 60 that is positioned along the liquid-impervious body 40, as depicted in FIG. 5. A brush, comb, or other similar applicator is used to apply the coloring chemicals 70 to the first portion of the lock of hair 60.

In reference to FIG. 8, once the first portion of the lock of hair 60 has been treated, the third magnetic strip 30 is disengaged from the first magnetic strip 10. The user then applies a second quantity of coloring chemicals to the second portion of the lock of hair 60 that is positioned across the first magnetic strip 10, as depicted in FIG. 6. Similar to applying the first quantity of coloring chemicals, the second quantity of coloring chemicals is applied using a brush, comb, or similar applicator. Once the second portion of the lock of hair 60 has been treated, the liquid-impervious body 40 is folded about the mid-line axis 43 and the second magnetic strip 20 is engaged with the first magnetic strip 10 as depicted in FIG. 7. In this way, the lock of hair 60 is clamped between the first magnetic strip 10 and the second magnetic strip 20, and positioned in between the first layer 41 of the liquid-impervious body 40.

In order to rinse the coloring chemicals 70 from the lock of hair 60, the second magnetic strip 20 is disengaged from the first magnetic strip 10. The applicator sheet 1 can then be removed in order to rinse the lock of hair 60, or the sheet retainer 2 can be reattached to the applicator sheet 1. If the sheet retainer 2 is attached to the applicator sheet 1, then the third magnetic strip 30 is once again engaged with the first magnetic strip 10. The user can then rinse the first portion of the lock of hair 60 against the liquid-impervious body 40. Once the first portion of the lock of hair 60 has been rinsed, the third magnetic strip 30 is disengaged from the first magnetic strip 10 and the second portion of the lock of hair 60 is rinsed.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for applying coloring chemicals to hair comprises: an applicator sheet; a sheet retainer; the applicator sheet comprising a first magnetic strip, a second magnetic strip, and a liquid-impervious body; the sheet retainer comprising a third magnetic strip and a liquid-impervious cover; the first magnetic strip and the second magnetic strip being integrated into the liquid-impervious body; the first magnetic strip and the second magnetic strip being terminally positioned opposite each other, along the applicator body; the first magnetic strip and the second magnetic strip being positioned across the liquid-impervious body; the second magnetic strip being configured to magnetically engage with the first magnetic strip when the liquid-impervious body is folded about a mid-line axis; the third magnetic strip being encased by the liquid-impervious cover; and the third magnetic strip being configured to magnetically engage with the first magnetic strip.
 2. The apparatus for applying coloring chemicals to hair as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the mid-line axis being parallel to the first magnetic strip and the second magnetic strip.
 3. The apparatus for applying coloring chemicals to hair as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the sheet retainer extending past the liquid-impervious body when the third magnetic strip is engaged with the first magnetic strip.
 4. The apparatus for applying coloring chemicals to hair as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the liquid-impervious body comprising a first layer and a second layer; and the first magnetic strip being positioned in between the first layer and the second layer.
 5. The apparatus for applying coloring chemicals to hair as claimed in claim 4 comprises: the first layer and the second layer being heat sealed together.
 6. The apparatus for applying coloring chemicals to hair as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the liquid-impervious body comprising a first layer and a second layer; and the second magnetic strip being positioned in between the first layer and the second layer.
 7. The apparatus for applying coloring chemicals to hair as claimed in claim 6 comprises: the first layer and the second layer being heat sealed together.
 8. A method for applying coloring chemicals to hair comprises the steps of: providing an applicator sheet comprising a first magnetic strip and a second magnetic strip terminally positioned opposite each other along a liquid-impervious body, and a sheet retainer comprising a third magnetic strip; placing a lock of hair on the liquid-impervious body such that the lock of hair overlaps the first magnetic strip; engaging the third magnetic strip with the first magnetic strip such that the lock of hair is clamped in between the first magnetic strip and the third magnetic strip; applying a first quantity of coloring chemicals to a first portion of the lock of hair positioned along the liquid-impervious body; disengaging the third magnetic strip from the first magnetic strip; applying a second quantity of coloring chemicals to a second portion of the lock of hair positioned across the first magnetic strip; and engaging the second magnetic strip with the first magnetic strip such that the lock of hair is clamped in between the first magnetic strip and the second magnetic strip. 